Taximeter.



BEST AVAILABLE COP" J. G. MACPHERSON. TAXIMBTERJ APPLICATION FILED JAN.27,191(

1,000,275. Patented Aug.8,1911

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1 IVITNESSES [NVENTOR 741, A JM/l a. memo];

I LE COP J. G. MAGPHBRSO P B I TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION nun JAN, 27, 1910. 1 1,000,275, Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

I e SHEETSSHBET 2.

\Q m 5 N v \Q WITNESSES SEST AVAILABLE COPY J. G. MAQPHERSON.

Patented Aug. 8, 1911. 6 snnnwssnnm 3;

BEST AVAILABLE COPY J. G. MAOPHBRSON.

TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED JAIL '27, 1910. 1,000,275. Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

6 SHEETS8HEET 4.

III

' 51%}. .i AVE! 1 A [NVENTOR v John QMqcPbezzgon BEST vAxLABLE GOP J. G. MAQPHERSON.

TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.27,'1910. 1,000,275. Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

G'SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES INVENTOR & A v Jab/1 aM zgf/zerzoa Y Attorney v Y BEST AV NLABLE 00? J. G. MAQPHERSON TAXIMETER.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 27, 1910.

6 8HEETS-SHEET 8.

u lllllllllllllllllllllil \-|l-illll1'l ull 1 i IIIIIIIIIIIII-IETIIIIIIIIII II u 46L lillomq- A WITNESSES INVENVTQ 6 f Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN G. MACPHERSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND 'MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE MACPHERSON COMPANY, INCORPORATED,- A

CORPORATION OF DELAWARE BEST AVAlLABLE COP! TAXIMETER.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 19] 1..

Application filed January 27, 1910; Serial No; 540,446

is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to improvements in taximeters.

In this instance, I employ a clock, as the medium whereby the taxi1neter.mechanically registers for running and- -'aiting rates the fare, printsa receipt coupon of the fare paid by the passenger, retains a permanent printed record of the numbers of trips and the amount of each trip, and gives a record of the full amount the ma chine has earned.

To clearly illustrate the invention, attention is invited to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a chine." Fig. 2 is a skeleton view in rear elevation of the clock, and the escapeinent mechanism, whereby the indicating mechanisms are controlled attwo different rates. Fig. 3 is vertical section through the machine tal." on line w:1', Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a section taken'on line g -y, Fig.6, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 22, Fig. 6, looking in the direction of the arrow, the clock not being shown. Fig. 6 a. top plan view of the machine. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the key-shaft and its various connections. Fig. 8 is a section through the main shaft. showing the escapement wheel, and initial fare mechanism, and also the mechanism for returning the visual indicators to 0, without ati'ecting the escapement. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the two rate control. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the remainder of the control carried by the taxicab. Fig. 11 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 12 is a section taken on inc (1.'(1-, Fig. 4, lookingdownwardly. F ig. .3 is a detail view of the pawl and ratchet: -mployed on total counter, and also on pin- Q11 44. Fig. 14 shows a portion of the total ounter with its gear in section to show the at'chet clearly. Fig. 15 is a plan view of ie key used for returning the indicating front elevation of the ma mechanism and registers, except the total counter to zero.

Referring to the drawings --the numeral 1' designates the frame or casin in whose front wall 2,-is mounted the clock 3, upon whose minute hand arbor 4, is-keyedv and rotatable there-with, the large running time rate toothed wheel.5, and the smaller waiting time rate toothed wheel 6, the teeth of the latter being of. the same length. and depth .as the teeth of the wheel 5, but of a lesser number, thereby dividing the hour period into a lesser number of periods than the wheel Swingingly' or pivotally inounted upon a pin- 7, (Figs. 2 and 4) below the clock, is

the escapement pawl or dog 8. which controls the movement ofthe toothed escape- 'ment wheel 9, and its operating integral or fast pinion 17. The wheel?) and pinion 17, are loosely mounted upon the main-shaft. 10, between the rear collar 11 Fig. 8 and the front collar 12. which is provided with the channeled stud or sleeve 13 Figs. 8 and 13, for the reception of the sliding pin 14, which is normally held toward the shaft by means of the coiled spring 15. l pon the front face of the wheel S),-are the two dia-.

inetrieally-opposite pins or studs 16 and 1G,

the sliding pin 14 being normally in-the path of saidstuds 16, and 16, and being provided with a notch or recess a. lVhen the key 0, as shown in Fi 15, and having the beveled end 0'. is pushed into the squared .s'ocket b, of the main shaft. 10, said key presses upon the inner end 0, of the sliding pin 14, and pushes said pin '14 outwardly and places the recess ain the path of the.

pins 16 and 16, so that the 111tlill-Sl1tlfi may be rotated without affecting the escapement wheel, the purpose of which. will presently appear. The small pinion 17, at all times meshes with the large gear 18, secured to a spring in thecasing 18, having the spring key-shaft 19.

Pivotcd to the outer end of the lever 20, of cseapcment pawl 8, is a vertically-mm"- able link 21, guided in the guide 21 and pivoted to an upper pivoted running time rate pawl 22 and the lower pivoted waiting time rate pawl 23, which normally have their toothed ends 0 and f, in engagement with the teeth-0t the. wheels 5 and 6, respectively. But in order to prevent this, and permit only one at a time to be in enstrikes the pin 14, at which BEST AVAlLABLE COPY the lever ends 24 and 25.'respectively of the E thus insures the proper positioning of. said pawls, to the long link 26 Fig. 9 and the short link 27, respectively, by pawls 22' and 23 which are connected by said links 2 to the rock-shaft 28, which is pivoted intermediate of its ends to the upper'end of the supporting fulcrum 29, whose lower end forms a bracket 30, slidingly mounted in the guide-support 31 Fig. 2. Extending downwardly from the underside of bracket 30 is a pin 32, which is' slidably mounted in the stud 33, and is provided with a spring 34,

which normally exerts a tension to pull the tion of the escapement wheel 9, will press bracket 30 toward the stud 33, thereby lowering the ends of the pawls 22 and 23, and automatically holding their toothed ends from engagement with the wheels, thus by this means the arbor of the clock is relieved of the friction of the pawls 22 and 23, when the machine is inoperative. Upon the lower end of the stud 32 is a button 35, whereby as the starting key-shaft 36, is moved by the chaufi'eur when the taxicab is engaged, the

l l l rack with relation to the pinion, theguide 43 and spriiig 43", at all times holding the rack in operative position. As the minute hand arbor of the clock rotates, the escapement pawl in the, direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. 2 is operated through the medium of either pawl 22 or 23, permitting the gear 18 operated by its spring to turn the escapement wheel 9, which moves the onehalf revolution without affecting the shaft 10, or until the pin 16 Figs. 8 and 11, engages the pin 14, at which time, the operaagainst the pin 14, and thus rotate the main shaft 10, with it, move the pointer ,Fig. 1 to indicate further amounts upon the dial A. The inclined shoulder 43 upon the rack 43 throws the rack from engagement with the pinion 44, so that the said rack will not rod 37 rigid with 41, Fig. 2, is raised, and i engages the button ,35, lifting the same and the bracket 30 with its parts, so that the pawls 22 or 23 may engage their toothed wheels. The rod 38 of the automatic control (Figs. 9 and 10), whose upper rod is connected to the crank 39 of the rock-shaft 28 raises the proper end 24 or of the pawls 22 and 23, so that only the proper I i and is secured to the front wall so that its 1 digits will be observable through the peeppawl engages either the wheel 5 or 6, if for instance the taxicab is at a standstill,

the pawl 23 is thrown in while the pawl 22;

is thrown up and out, or when the taxicab is moving the reverse occurs. As the starting key-shaft 36 is moved as above, the foractuate the pinion 44, (Fig.4) mounted upon the main-shaft 10, through the medium of a pawl and ratchet mechanism, (similar to that shown in Figs. 13 and 14) which per mits the rack to rotate the shaft one-half revolution or until the pin 16 Figs. 8 and 11 time, the pointer 41') Fig. 1 carried upon the. outer end of the shaft 10, will have been moved from 0 to indicating the initial fare of cents in this instance. As shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the guide 4 3' permits a vertical movement of the rack 43, so that when its rounded portion 43, rides upon the pinion 44, the teeth of the rack is thrown out of engagement or mesh with the said pinion, but as the guide is of suilicient height the spring 43", lightly holds the rack 43 toward said pinion 44, and

interfere with the rotation of the shaft 10, but will permit the rack to be drawn back upon the "pinion 44, when the key-shaft is returned to normal position, the pinion 44, during this action rotating free from the shaft 10. \Vhen the main shaft 10, has

' made one complete revolution, or so thatthe pointer 45 is again at 0, the bevel gear 46 Fig. 12, will have turned the similar sized bevel gear 47 mounted upon the shaft 48, of the decimal'counter 49, which is constructed similarly to the Veeder counters,

to retain a permanent counter or total adder T for the amount received by the machine,

employ the Veeder counter 51, or one similar thereto, and this is connected to the main shaft 10, through the medium of the shaft gear 10. and the counter ratchet and pawl gear 51, (Figs. 13 and 14) which permits the shaft 10 to operate the counter in -only one direction or while the counter 45 moves away from 0. The gear 51', is provided, as shownin Figs. 13, and 14, with the pawl and ratchet 59.

Keyed to and rotatable with the main shaft. 10, is a pinion 52 Figs. 3 and 4, which meshesat all times with the two similar sized'pinions 53 apd 53', loosely mounted upon the shafts 54 and 54, respectively, and

and 56', respectively by well known carrying mechanism, and when the latter have been rotated mne steps, the tens dollar wheels 57 and 57, are actuated. Thus it will be seen that the movement of the shaft 10 will simultaneously actuate the pointer 45, the dollar counters 49 and 51, and type wheels of the two recording and prihting mechanisms. The. type-writer ribbon 58 Fig. 3 passes above the type wheels of both mechanisms. and below the coupon tape 59 and the record tape 60, whose respective feed spools are keyed to and rotatable with the shaft 61. carrying the ratchet wheel 62 near the coupon tape'spool. To stop the main shaft 10 from actuating the various registering and recording mechanisn'is, the key-shaft 36, is turned so as to cause the rod 37 Fig. 2 to release the button 35, so that the spring 34 will actuate the pawls 22 and 23 and throw them from engagement with their wheels 5 and 6. By a continued movement of the key-shaft 36, the arm or crank 63 Fig. 7 pushes the vertically movable link 64-, which is guided in the slotted arm 64, Figs. 3, st, 6, 7 and 12, carried by the support (34, the spring 64*. normally holding the link (i-l so that its upper or trigger end will engage the abutment 6%", of the spring returned printing platens support 65", carrying the printing platens 85 and (35, respectively, upwardly. This action lifts the two platens 65 and 65', until the trigger 61 releases the abutment of the support 65", at which time said platens snappily engage the ribbon 5t and press it down upon the .coupon and record tapes and type wheels,

simultaneously, thus printing the amount shown bv the visual indicator upon the coupon A and record tape, the spring- 36, releasing the platens just after pressure, that the rack 67. vertically movable. in the loop 6?, of the support 64' and held toward the ratchet (32 bv the s 'Jring 67" and having its lower end connected to the arm 68, .67 ,will engage the ratchet (i2, and rotate the shaft 61, winding the record tape upon its feed spool, and project the printed coupon B, through the slot 68, in the rear of the casing. This then torn off by the chauffeur, who gives it to the passenger, who pays the. amount marked thereon if it. tallies, and it should, with the visual'indicators 4,5 and To return the visual indicator, and type wheels to O, and not affeet the counter 51, the chauffeur inserts the key 0, 15 in the socket 7. of. the shaft it), far enough to engage he endc Fig. 8. of the sliding pin l t. this action as before mentioned places the notch a, in the path of the pins 16 and 16', so that the chauffeur can now rotate manually the shaft 10 in. the opposite direction without affecting the escanement wheel 9, and thus return the pointer 45 to 0, and the counter 49 to (l, and

.co-mcidently both sets of type wheels to 0, thus placing the machine passenger, the counter ready for the next 5], retaining the BEST AVAILABLE COP I added amount of the cash received for the ride. in Figs. 9 and 10, I have illustrated my automatic device for changing the actuating of the indicating mechanism from running rate to waiting rate, this action being entirely under the control of the rear hub or movable axle 81 of the vehicle. In i this instance, the rod 354, has its lower end pivoted to the forward member of the bellcrank lever 70, which is secured to the vehicle so that its lower member has operatively pivoted thereto the long connecting rod 71, whose rear end, is connected to the collar 72, which is adapted to be held in the position as shown in Fig. 10, by means of the spring 75. This spring 75, exerting a tension against the sliding and rotatable {sleeve 72, forming apart of a. governor l-mechanism, pushes thesleeve 72, toward the of the shaft 78, while the through the medium of forward end shaft 78 is rotated the axle 81, gear 80, and worm gear 79, the

r arms 76 with their balls 77, are thrown out- ;wardiy by centrifugal force and pull the Isleeve 72, compressing the spring 75, and also pulling upon the rod 7 This action of the rod 71, operates he bell-crank lever 70, and pulls the rod 38 downwardly, lowering the end of the rocking shaft 28, to i which the rod 38 is connected, so that the i other end is raised to cause the pivoted end lot the running time rate pawl 22, to be raised and its pawl c to engage the ratchet. 5, while siumltaneously with this action the. I rear end of the waiting 23 lowered, lifting the pawl end f, thereof from engagement with the ratchet (3, Figs. 2 and 9. \Vhen the vehicle stops, the shaft 78 stops, and the spring pushes upon the sleeve 72 thereby pushing the rod 71, and raising the rod 38 and the proper end-of the rocking shaft 28, this action disengaging the. pawl e of the running time rate ratchet 22, from its ratchet 5, and causing the pawl f, of the waiting timerate ratchet :23, to engage its ratchet (3. By this means the two pawls 22 and 23, are under the direct control of the movement of the vehicle, thus relieving thechantteur of the necessity of operating the shift: from running rate to waiting rate and vice versa.

iVhat I claim, as new is:- 1. In a taximeter, the combination with l l l l a clock, and indicating mechanism. of mechanism controlled through the medium of the clock for operating the indicating mechanism at two different rates, comprising an escapement mechanism, and means for operably connecting the same with the minute hand arbor of the clock.

2. In a taxinletcr, the combination with a clock, mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger, mechanism for making a time rate pawl I BEST AVAILABLE COP? permanent record of cash received, and mechanism for keeping a total of cash received. of mechanism mechanically operated from the minute hand arbor ot' the clock for permitting said mechanisms to operate at two diti erent rates.

3. In a taximeten-thc combination with a clock. and indicating mechanism, of mechanism mechanically operated from the minute hand arbor of the clock for permitting said indicating mechanism to operate at two different rates, mechanism for operating the indicating mechanism to indicate an initial fare, and meansm'hereby the said indicating mechanism is returned to normal position.

4. In a taximcter, the combination with a clock. mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger. and mechanism for malting a permanent record of cash received, of mechanism mechanically operated from the minute hand arbor of the clock for permitting said mechanisms to operate at two diftercnt rates.

5. Tn a taximctcr. the combination with a clock; mechanism for registering the fare. mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger. and mechanism for making a permanent record of cash received. of mechanism controlled through the media of the clock for operating said mechanisms at two ditlerent rates. comprising an escapemcnt mechanism. and means for'operably connecting the same with the minute hand arbor of the clock 3. in a taximcter. the (annbination with a clock. uu'chanism for registering the fare. mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger. mechanism for making a permanent record of cash received, and mechanism for retaining a total of fares received. of mechanism controlled through the medium of the clock for operating said mechanismsat two ditt'ercnt rates. comprising an escapemcnt mechanism. and means for opcrably connecting the same with the minute haml arbor ot' the clock.

7. in a taximcter. thecombination with a clock. and indicating mechanism. of mechanism operable from the minute hand arbor ot the clock for controlling said' mechanism at two ditl'creut rates. comprising two separate mcau operably connected to and to tatable with the minute hand arbor, an c-rcapcmcnt mechanism operably connected with said indicating mechanism. two separate means carried by the cscapcmcnt mechanism and adapted to co-act with the means of the arbor of the clock. and means for causing one mcausot the arbor and one of thc cscapemcut to be in operation at the same time.

8. in a taximcter. the combination with a clock, mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the. fare paid by passenger, tllltl w w. ing a permanent record of cash received, of mechanism operable from the clock for controlling said mechanisms at two diiterentrates. comprising two separate means carried by and rotatable with the minute hand arbor of the clock. an escapemcnt mechanism operably connected with said clock controlled mechanisms and through which they are operated, two separate means carricd by the escapement mechanism and adapted to co-act with the means of the arher of the clock. and means for causing. one means each of the arbor and escapement to (o-act and thus control the mechanisms through the clock and escapement mechamsm.

9. In a taximeter. the combination with a clock. mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger, mechanism for making a permanent record of cash received, and mechanism for retaining a total of fares received. of mechanism operable from the clock for controlling said mechanisms at two ditl'erent rates, comprising two separate means carried by and rotatable with the minute hand arbor of the clock, an escapemcnt mechanism operably connected with said mechanisms and through which they are operated. two separate means carried by the escapement mechanism and adapted to co-act with the means of the arbor of the clock. and means for causing one means each of the arbor and escapement to co-act a d thus control the mechanisms through clock and es *apemcntmechanism.

10. In a taximeter. the combination with a clock. and indicating mechanisms, of means for controlling the mechanism through the medium of the clock, comprising two ditl'erent diametered toothed wheels carried by and rotatable with the minute hand arbor of the clock, and escapement mechanism operably connected with the in-' dicating meclmnism. means carried by the cscapcment mechanism and adapted to' be placed in operable relation to the toothed wheels of the arbor for causing the clock to operate the escapement mechanism, and means for causing either one of the toothed wheels to operate the escapement mechanism.

11. In a taximeter. the combination with a clock. mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger. and mechanism for making a permanent record of cash received, of means for controlling the mechanisms through the medium of the clock, comprising two dift'erent diametered toothed wheels carried by and rotatable with the minute hand arbor of the clock, an escapemcnt mechanism operably connected with said mechanisms. means carried by the es- ,paid by passenger, mechanism for making a permanent. record of cash received. and m'cchanisui for: retaining a total of fares received, of means for controlling said mechanisms through the medium of the clock, comprising two different diametered toothed wheels carried by and rotatable with the'minnte hand arbor of the clock. an escapement mechanism operably connected with said mechanisms, means'carricd by the 2 Q escapement mechanism and adapted to be placed in operable relation to the toothed wheels of the arbor for causing the clock to operate the escapcment mechanism. and means for causing either one of the toothed 5 wheels to operate the escapement mechanism..

13. In a taximeter. the combination of a clock, mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger. mechanism for making a permanent record of the cash received. mechanism for registering the total of the fares received, a main shaft operablvconnected to all of saidmechanisms, an escapement mechanism -operably connected to said main shaft. and co-acting means carried by the minute hand arbor of the clock and the escapement for operating the mechanisms through the medium of the clock and the escapement mechanism.

14. In a takimeter, the combination of a clock. indicating mechanism. a main shaft operably connected to said mechanism, an escapement mechanism operably connected to said main shaft, two co-acting means carried by the minute hand arbor of the clock and the escapement, and means for permitting one and only one of said co-acting ncans to be. operable at a time.

15. in a taximeter, the combination of a lock, mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare aid by passenger, mechanism for making a crmanent record of cash received, mechaism for registering the total of the fares .ceived. a main shaft operably connected to dd mechanisms, an escapement mechanism 'ierably connected to said main shaft, two

acting means carried by the minute hand bor of he clock and the escapement, and

HHS for permitting one and only one of d (to-acting means to be operable at a BEST AVAlLABLE COPY 16. In a taximeter, the combination of a clock, indicating mechanism, a main shaft operably connected to tlieindicating mechanism, an escapementmechanism for oper ating said main shaft, two toothed Wheels of different diameters carried by the minute hand arbor of the clock and rotatable therewith, two pawls operably connected to the escapement mechanism, and means whereby either one of the pawls and its toothed wheel are engaged at a time, as and for the purpose set forth.

17. in a taximcter. tliey'cmnbination of a clock. mechanism for registering the fare, mechanism for printing a receipt of the fare paid by passenger. mechanism for making a permanent record of the cash received, mechanism for registering the total of the fares received. a main shaft operably connected to said mechanisms. an escapementv mechanism for operating said main shaft,

-two toothed wheels of different diameters carried by and rotatable with the minute pawls and its toothed wheel are engaged at a time. as and for the purpose set forth.

18. In a taximeter. the combination with a clock: indicating mechanism: and mechanism controlled through the medium of the clock for operating the indicating mechanism at two ditl'crent rates. comprising an 'escapement mechanism. meansfor operably' connecting the same withthe r'ninnte hand arbor of the clock. and means for selecting the rate at which the indicating mechanism is operated: of means controllable by the movements of the vehicle for operating said selecting means:

19. In a taximeter, the combination with a clock. of registering mechanism, a spring motor for controlling said registering mechanism, and means cooperating with said clock for varying the rate of said motor. 7

20. In a taximeter. the combination with a clock, of registering mechanism. a variable rate spring motoractuating said registering mechanism, and means cooperating with said clock for varying the rate of said motor.

21. Tn a taximeter. the combination with a clock, of a pluralityof ratchet wheels actuated by said clock. a registering mechanism, a variable rate motor controlling said registering means. and means cooperating with saidratchet wheels for controlling said motor.

In testimony whereof I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- JOHN G. MACPHERSON. -Witnesses:

DAVID P. Moons, H. PARKINS. 

